President Trump has offered to personally fund overtime pay for NASA astronauts Suni Williams and Butch Wilmore who were stranded in space for nearly 10 months. The astronauts received a shockingly low $5 per day during their extended stay, prompting Trump’s gesture of goodwill. The Democrats are going to try and find a way to make this a bad thing, right?
At a glance:
• President Trump offered to personally pay overtime for NASA astronauts who were stranded in space for 286 days
• Astronauts Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore received only $1,430 in extra compensation for their extended mission
• The astronauts’ extended stay was due to Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft issues
• Trump praised Elon Musk and SpaceX for successfully bringing the astronauts back to Earth
• Trump criticized the Biden administration for allegedly delaying the astronauts’ return for political reasons
Trump Steps Up for Stranded Astronauts
President Donald Trump has offered to personally cover overtime pay for two NASA astronauts who were stranded on the International Space Station for an extended period. The astronauts, Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore, were initially scheduled for an eight-day test flight but ended up staying in space for a staggering 286 days due to issues with Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft.
Upon learning that the astronauts received only $5 per day in additional compensation for their extended stay, totaling approximately $1,430, Trump expressed disbelief at the meager amount. “Nobody’s ever mentioned this to me. If I have to, I’ll pay it out of my own pocket. OK? Is that all?” Trump stated, highlighting his willingness to support the astronauts who endured significant hardship.
Trump further emphasized the health risks associated with prolonged space missions, noting that the human body “starts to deteriorate after nine or 10 months” in space. The President’s concern for the astronauts’ wellbeing stands in stark contrast to the apparent lack of urgency from the Biden administration regarding their safe return.
SpaceX’s Crucial Role in Astronaut Rescue
The return of Williams and Wilmore to Earth was made possible by SpaceX, led by CEO Elon Musk, who launched a rescue mission to bring them home safely. Trump specifically acknowledged Musk’s contributions, stating, “I want to thank Elon Musk, by the way, because think of [if] we don’t have him.”
“And if we don’t have Elon, they could be up there a long time, who else is going to get them? And I just want to thank him, he’s going through a lot,” Trump added, recognizing the vital role of private space companies in America’s space program. The successful rescue mission demonstrated the effectiveness of public-private partnerships in addressing challenges in space exploration.
Musk had previously claimed he offered to bring the astronauts back earlier, but alleged the Biden administration delayed their return for political reasons. NASA officials denied these claims, but questions remain about why the astronauts were left in space for so long despite having access to return vehicles.
Triumphant Return After Extended Mission
The astronauts’ capsule successfully splashed down in the Gulf of America off Tallahassee, Florida, concluding their unexpectedly lengthy mission. The capsule returned to Earth with NASA astronauts Nick Hague, Suni Williams, Butch Wilmore, and Russian cosmonaut Aleksandr Gorbunov, with Hague and Gorbunov having completed their scheduled time in space as part of the Crew-9 mission.
Trump criticized the Biden administration’s handling of the situation, claiming Biden was willing to leave the astronauts in space to avoid publicity. The extended stay of the astronauts spanned both Trump’s and Biden’s terms, with their return occurring shortly after Trump assumed office for his second term.
The incident highlights the stark contrast between Trump’s America First approach, which prioritizes the wellbeing of American heroes like these astronauts, and what many conservatives view as the Biden administration’s neglect of American interests. Through his personal financial offer and praise for innovative private sector solutions, Trump once again demonstrated his commitment to supporting American excellence in space exploration.
